I guess the evangelical Putin lovers are good with the death of the pregnant woman and baby at Putin's hands. This is the party of "life." They have aligned with the devil. I am so disgusted and angry.
I guess the evangelical Putin lovers are good with the death of the pregnant woman and baby at Putin's hands. This is the party of "life." They have aligned with the devil. I am so disgusted and angry.
From where I stand, those who cry loudest about the purity of their Christian faith are often the ones whose acts are the most anathematic and whose love of neighbor only favor white racist, homophobic bigots.
Were Jesus to come back to earth today, because of his principles he would be excluded from evangelical churches. I find core tenets of Jesus in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. I do not find these in evangelical mega churches.
Core tenets of the world's religions all contain an element of how the aristocrats should treat the peasants, not that it has made a whole lot of difference.
Totally AGREE Keith. Evangelical mega churches are really really a new kind of Christianity---and those associated with Dominionism (like one in Fort Worth TX featured in the NYT )are even worse. It's really Christian Sharia Law (except that is an insult to true Islam and the teachings of Mohammed). end of the rant. but it will happen again on this topic. Someone in the field of Religion/History needs to take on an analysis of this---perhaps someone has (I'm not as involved as I used to be :-) ) Take care everyone. Peace and Courage.
Has been so for years, the “big switch” (when I noticed) came when Karl Rove made churches arms of the Republican Party, or made giant strides in the effort. Some resisted but the majority cozied up to the power play.
Well said. There is no Christianity (as it is trumpeted to be) there. I long ago lost any belief that following their version of Christ was not anything that was good for me.
Ally, Thank you for coming to the aid of me this morning. Allen just responded to me. Tanya's doing fine. He thinks because she got over the cold a little while back. He expects that they'll leave for Canada in a week.
Lois DITTO. I”Onward Christian soldiers, marching off to war, with the cross of Jesus”came to mind as I later studied the Crusades, when the Crusaders often were bloody avengers and Moslem Saladin responded in a ‘most Christian” manner.
Jesus heading an army is as ridiculous as Putin heading a Buddhist retreat focusing on love thy neighbor. Barbara Tuchman, in THE FOLLIES OF HISTORY, describes venal Julius II leading his ‘Christian warriors.’ AWWWK
No, but it has weapons from wars embedded in the flooring---you can walk on your enemies symbolically---just as the Egyptian pharaohs placed their feet on the images of enemies on their footstool when they sat on their throne. Lots of ritual there then and now.
This is a potent symbol/reality----alliance of church/eschatological vision, "greater Russia" and a violent, aggressive, jealous, vengeful (I could go on) Putin. Explosive mixture. The imagery is overwhelming (secular Icons---Stalin!!; in a way a "sacred" history; Kiev is a spiritual center for the MOSCOW patriarch---explains a lot! Same for the Crimea. Moscow wants what Kiev has in terms of sacred places. No total explanation, but just another piece in the puzzle.
putin always promotes 'traditional values' and decries the lack of 'family values.' he blames the low russian birth rate on the 'gay agenda.' (this business is probably why brittney griner was arrested. a 6'9" black lesbian who plays on the ekaterinberg championship team, she is more than putin can bear.) the low birth rate in russia goes back a long way, has little to do with any gay agenda. the soviet union fell apart not because reagan made the cold war too expensive, but because there weren't enough russians to hold it together any longer. too few russians were trying to control too many non-russians. it's even more difficult for them today. the low birth rate in russia? for awhile it was government policy. nowadays the fact is, russian women don't like russian men, and don't want to marry them. they marry foreigners whenever they get the chance, and leave russia.
Well said. Russian women also know the reality of the soviet feminism hypocrisy.
"too few russians were trying to control too many non-russians." I'll say it again: Xi Jinping claimed it takes autocracy to deal with the complexity of the modern world. Autocrats refuses to even see complexity as anything but a threat.
USSR collapsed largely because there were not enough people understanding and making the ressource distribution and development decisions. In Western economies the whole of the people do, and need to, get involved. Otherwise as you say complexity really provides them with the challenge they can't meet....see the logistical bugbears grinding Putin's invading forces to a halt.
Stuart The Soviets, with their Five Year Plans, sought to allocate resources from the top down and counted on a captive market. East Germany had the best Soviet empire computer company. When the Berlin Wall came down, this company went bankrupt. It’s computers were five generations behind those in the West. Ditto with some large manufacturing plants where the workers’ joke was “You pretend to pay us and we pretend to work.”
With all its oddities, the market place is the best way to work out the complexities of price, supply, and demand. Unfortunately, we have drifted into monopolies, where two or three companies dominant a market—meat packing and petroleum are just two examples.
Remember, Adam Smith in THE WEALTH OF NATIONS warned that businessmen, when they had an opportunity, would get together to try to fix the market.
Re your last point: I am seriously concerned that the big autocracies (Russia, China) are going to be extremely formidable if they fully align in this war. China can fund. Russia will continue to take as many lives as possible.
America has threatened China if they do support Russia. What levers do they have? I really can’t think of many that wouldn’t rebound tremendously back on America. It has been offshoring to China for 40 years. If anything, I would guess China has an economic stranglehold on America.
It appears that the pain of this local act of ugly aggression is going to be felt far beyond the area soon.
I also think that NATO cannot be held hostage to the nuclear threat forever. At some point we may have to let go of the stereotype of Putin as a deranged madman and see him for what he is - rationally, despicably evil.
China has an interesting dilemma here. As you said lots of business from the the U. S. We are one of the largest economies in the world. Do they risk that? We shall see.
'Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin appear to have strong personal ties. For example, the two discussed Ukraine during a phone call on Friday, with Xi simply stating that negotiations are desirable. There was no indication that Xi criticized Putin.'
'At the same time, China knows supporting Russia’s invasion would seriously damage its already strained relationships with the wealthy democracies that are its main trading partners, such as the United States, European Union countries, and Japan. Ties with these countries are already as bad as they have been since China began its policy of reform and opening in the 1970s. If China sided with Russia, such as by offering economic relief or agreeing to veto sanctions in the UN Security Council, then it would be hard to salvage those ties. Instead, most wealthy democracies would perceive China and Russia as being in a 1950s-style communist alliance. This would make it almost impossible for many countries to restart any form of engagement with China.' (CouncilonForeignRelations) See link below.
'The White House has warned China not to provide Russia with an economic lifeline as the Kremlin steps up its onslaught on Ukraine. The U.S. says it fears China, a key strategic ally of Moscow, may seek to cushion the impact of measures designed to destroy Russia’s economy if the war continues'
'There are concerns among market participants that Chinese companies could soon become embroiled in financial penalties after reports that Moscow had asked Beijing for assistance to support its Ukraine invasion' (cnbc) See link below.
Those are good points. I hadn’t fully explored in my mind what the downside is for China. Their (at least overt) hesitation to pump aid to Russia was a bit of a surprise to me. Especially as they are in a near parallel situation with Taiwan.
But they are an economic behemoth now. And they throw their weight around internally (Uighur) without much concern for the opinion of the West.
Eric, Your opening line, 'I am seriously concerned that the big autocracies (Russia, China) are going to be extremely formidable if they fully align in this war. China can fund.' raised questions and doubts in my mind. I didn't think that China would fully buy into Putin's war against Ukraine and doubted that would or could fund. Thus began our useful exchange.
The following may be of interest to you concerning China's role. I think this genocidal-like enterprise of Putin's is not conforming to his expectations.
'Can China, by offering itself as an alternative trading partner, bail out Putin’s economy?'
'No, it can’t.'
'Let’s talk first about the impact of those sanctions.'
'One thing the West conspicuously hasn’t done is try to block Russian sales of oil and gas — the country’s principal exports. Oh, the United States might ban imports of Russian oil, but this would be a symbolic gesture: Oil is traded on a global market, so this would just reshuffle trade a bit, and in any case U.S. imports from Russia account for only about 5 percent of Russian production.' (NYTimes, Krugman)
In addition, 'Russia, which currently sends natural gas to China via the Power of Siberia gas link, has been holding talks with the Asian nation over another major long-term deal for supplies via Mongolia. Currently, Russian gas-pipeline infrastructure isn’t capable of west- or eastbound redirections of gas flows. However, if the deal is reached, an interconnector will be built, decreasing Russia’s dependence on Europe to buy its energy.' (Al Jazeera Media Network)
'The West has, however, largely cut off Russia’s access to the world banking system, which is a very big deal. Russian exporters may be able to get their stuff out of the country, but it’s now hard for them to get paid. Probably even more important, it’s hard for Russia to pay for imports — sorry, but you can’t carry out modern international trade with briefcases full of $100 bills. In fact, even Russian trade that remains legally permitted seems to be drying up as Western companies that fear further restrictions and a political backlash engage in “self-sanctioning.”
'How much does this matter? The Russian elite can live without Prada handbags, but Western pharmaceuticals are another matter. In any case, consumer goods are only about a third of Russia’s imports. The rest are capital goods, intermediate goods — that is, components used in the production of other goods — and raw materials. These are things Russia needs to keep its economy running, and their absence may cause important sectors to grind to a halt. There are already suggestions, for example, that the cutoff of spare parts and servicing may quickly cripple Russia’s domestic aviation, a big problem in such a huge country.'
'But can China provide Putin with an economic lifeline? I’d say no, for four reasons.'
'First, China, despite being an economic powerhouse, isn’t in a position to supply some things Russia needs, like spare parts for Western-made airplanes and high-end semiconductor chips.'
'Second, while China itself isn’t joining in the sanctions, it is deeply integrated into the world economy. This means that Chinese banks and other businesses, like Western corporations, may engage in self-sanctioning — that is, they’ll be reluctant to deal with Russia for fear of a backlash from consumers and regulators in more important markets.'
'Third, China and Russia are very far apart geographically. Yes, they share a border. But most of Russia’s economy is west of the Urals, while most of China’s is near its east coast. Beijing is 3,500 miles from Moscow, and the only practical way to move stuff across that vast expanse is via a handful of train lines that are already overstressed.'
'Finally, a point I don’t think gets enough emphasis is the extreme difference in economic power between Russia and China.'
'Some politicians are warning about a possible “arc of autocracy” reminiscent of the World War II Axis — and given the atrocities underway, that’s not an outlandish comparison. But the partners in any such arc would be wildly unequal.'
'Putin may dream of restoring Soviet-era greatness, but China’s economy, which was roughly the same size as Russia’s 30 years ago, is now 10 times as large. For comparison, Germany’s gross domestic product was only two and a half times Italy’s when the original Axis was formed.'
'So if you try to imagine the creation of some neofascist alliance — and again, that no longer sounds like extreme language — it would be one in which Russia would be very much the junior partner, indeed very nearly a Chinese client state. Presumably that’s not what Putin, with his imperial dreams, has in mind.'
'China, then, can’t insulate Russia from the consequences of the Ukraine invasion. It’s true that the economic squeeze on Russia would be even tighter if China joined the democratic world in punishing aggression. But that squeeze is looking very severe even without Chinese participation. Russia is going to pay a very high price, in money as well as blood, for Putin’s megalomania.'(NYTimes,Krugman) See link below.
Good post Eric. I also see India aligning to fund Russia because they see it as strategically possible. Israel remains way to quiet because they want to crush the Palestinians. Meanwhile I wonder what African nations and South America are contemplating.
Putin’s ‘family values’ include having a mistress (and children with her) long before he divorced his wife and then tucking his mistress and four children in a secluded Swiss chalet while he murders thousands of children in Ukraine. There are divisions within the Russian Orthodox Church as to whether Putin’s ‘family values’ are godly.
Of course, all this is just talk from him and the Rs here. And they all would see to it that abortion would be available to their mistresses if need be.
Meanwhile, slaughtering your neighboring country integrated through family to Ukraine. I’m beyond….a maternity hospital and your kin…how does that meet their concern as white supremests, that they’re numbers are dwindling.🤯
Heartbreaking and crimes against humanity! I have to cry to see people lining up to cross a border to safety. Leaving behind everything and hoping to keep family together and able to continue. Little children. Over and over. What’s also tragic is this war is televised and we’re helpless to stop it. Or are we?
I watched war with my dinner in the 60’s. I can’t do it again. I catch up in the morning (early, it seems), and deal with the vagaries of old age otherwise.
Yes. The Secret Sauce “ is to get as many Allies involved to make Putin’s life a living Hell ! They are asking to have dialogue. Ukraine’s answer is “ Only if you stop bombing “. So hopefully VZ will have a better outlook to report to Congress on Wednesday ?
Happily there remain a few Kitzingers and Cheneys around to represent the classic, small "d" democratic opposition and on which they survivors of this storm can build
/s/ So long as that baby was born and breathing air, it was fair game. The only time it's off limits is between conception and birth. /S/. Oh man, I'm so burnt out on the hypocrisy.
Well-said. I am similarly disgusted and angry with little tangible to do other than to contribute to several of the humanitarian efforts to help the Ukrainian people.
They are the party of death in so many ways. And hatred of course. They ought to take WWJD much more seriously and maybe read the first three Gospels. I haven't seen a report on the week long 24 hour a day campout on the capitol grounds here in Salem lately. I hope they are miserably wet.
There is nothing pro-life about those killing, abusing and/or instilling terror and fear into other humans, especially children, PERIOD! For shame is their claim to be Godly and righteous!! This piece really hit home for me as I was weaned on Developmental Trauma which brainwashes its victims and leaves them in a helpless death march, and then repeats the self/other-hatred cycle onto the next generation until we stop it! I am living proof of this phenomenon and know the abject horror I speak of, and I am so grateful to now be free of that lie (and alive). I know 100% the only thing that can save our species from the manmade hell wrought of unloved and tormented egos is LOVE, ONE LOVE for all creation!
This tactic, indeed all the social media manipulation tactics, have been tested and proven right here in the US, right down to the phrase 'crisis actor'. That the US didn't take a more active and involved role in mitigation of this tripe being pedaled through silicon valley is pretty reprehensible. But then, when you look at who's on the board of these private companies and who is downstream in the largesse they produce, it's reasonably easy to comprehend both the potential for mayhem and the political apathy to do something about it.
I guess the evangelical Putin lovers are good with the death of the pregnant woman and baby at Putin's hands. This is the party of "life." They have aligned with the devil. I am so disgusted and angry.
From where I stand, those who cry loudest about the purity of their Christian faith are often the ones whose acts are the most anathematic and whose love of neighbor only favor white racist, homophobic bigots.
As I’ve stated before you don’t hear them say “ What Would Jesus Do “ anymore do you ? And Rowshan, it comes from where I stand also.
Were Jesus to come back to earth today, because of his principles he would be excluded from evangelical churches. I find core tenets of Jesus in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. I do not find these in evangelical mega churches.
I agree! They are scary!
Core tenets of the world's religions all contain an element of how the aristocrats should treat the peasants, not that it has made a whole lot of difference.
Totally AGREE Keith. Evangelical mega churches are really really a new kind of Christianity---and those associated with Dominionism (like one in Fort Worth TX featured in the NYT )are even worse. It's really Christian Sharia Law (except that is an insult to true Islam and the teachings of Mohammed). end of the rant. but it will happen again on this topic. Someone in the field of Religion/History needs to take on an analysis of this---perhaps someone has (I'm not as involved as I used to be :-) ) Take care everyone. Peace and Courage.
Has been so for years, the “big switch” (when I noticed) came when Karl Rove made churches arms of the Republican Party, or made giant strides in the effort. Some resisted but the majority cozied up to the power play.
It was really Ralph Reed and some of his contemporaries that pulled them from the inside
Now you're talking!
Precisely.
Well said. There is no Christianity (as it is trumpeted to be) there. I long ago lost any belief that following their version of Christ was not anything that was good for me.
Sheep in wolf’s clothing.
Or as Saint Paul wrote to his Church in Corinth, conservative evangelical pastors are "mere peddlers of God's word".
Ally, Thank you for coming to the aid of me this morning. Allen just responded to me. Tanya's doing fine. He thinks because she got over the cold a little while back. He expects that they'll leave for Canada in a week.
Terrific new Fern. Thanks.
Yes, G. We just spoke, and it was fun. He's got great spirit. Communicating with Allen, even in this limited way feels lively.
How are u contacting. Just curious. They are amazing and brave. So are thousands of Ukrainians.
Excellent!!
❤️
Did you see this story in the Guardian? An orthodox cathedral in a military theme park🤯?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/20/orthodox-cathedral-of-the-armed-force-russian-national-identity-military-disneyland
Yes and I remember it from a Sunday school song: “A mighty fortress is our God.” Does this cathedral have machine gun turrets?
I remember being a young kid in Sunday School singing “Onward Christian soldiers marching off to war”! Yikes!!
Lois DITTO. I”Onward Christian soldiers, marching off to war, with the cross of Jesus”came to mind as I later studied the Crusades, when the Crusaders often were bloody avengers and Moslem Saladin responded in a ‘most Christian” manner.
Jesus heading an army is as ridiculous as Putin heading a Buddhist retreat focusing on love thy neighbor. Barbara Tuchman, in THE FOLLIES OF HISTORY, describes venal Julius II leading his ‘Christian warriors.’ AWWWK
No, but it has weapons from wars embedded in the flooring---you can walk on your enemies symbolically---just as the Egyptian pharaohs placed their feet on the images of enemies on their footstool when they sat on their throne. Lots of ritual there then and now.
This is a potent symbol/reality----alliance of church/eschatological vision, "greater Russia" and a violent, aggressive, jealous, vengeful (I could go on) Putin. Explosive mixture. The imagery is overwhelming (secular Icons---Stalin!!; in a way a "sacred" history; Kiev is a spiritual center for the MOSCOW patriarch---explains a lot! Same for the Crimea. Moscow wants what Kiev has in terms of sacred places. No total explanation, but just another piece in the puzzle.
I have seen this so often!
Yes. Perfect description.
putin always promotes 'traditional values' and decries the lack of 'family values.' he blames the low russian birth rate on the 'gay agenda.' (this business is probably why brittney griner was arrested. a 6'9" black lesbian who plays on the ekaterinberg championship team, she is more than putin can bear.) the low birth rate in russia goes back a long way, has little to do with any gay agenda. the soviet union fell apart not because reagan made the cold war too expensive, but because there weren't enough russians to hold it together any longer. too few russians were trying to control too many non-russians. it's even more difficult for them today. the low birth rate in russia? for awhile it was government policy. nowadays the fact is, russian women don't like russian men, and don't want to marry them. they marry foreigners whenever they get the chance, and leave russia.
Well said. Russian women also know the reality of the soviet feminism hypocrisy.
"too few russians were trying to control too many non-russians." I'll say it again: Xi Jinping claimed it takes autocracy to deal with the complexity of the modern world. Autocrats refuses to even see complexity as anything but a threat.
USSR collapsed largely because there were not enough people understanding and making the ressource distribution and development decisions. In Western economies the whole of the people do, and need to, get involved. Otherwise as you say complexity really provides them with the challenge they can't meet....see the logistical bugbears grinding Putin's invading forces to a halt.
Stuart The Soviets, with their Five Year Plans, sought to allocate resources from the top down and counted on a captive market. East Germany had the best Soviet empire computer company. When the Berlin Wall came down, this company went bankrupt. It’s computers were five generations behind those in the West. Ditto with some large manufacturing plants where the workers’ joke was “You pretend to pay us and we pretend to work.”
With all its oddities, the market place is the best way to work out the complexities of price, supply, and demand. Unfortunately, we have drifted into monopolies, where two or three companies dominant a market—meat packing and petroleum are just two examples.
Remember, Adam Smith in THE WEALTH OF NATIONS warned that businessmen, when they had an opportunity, would get together to try to fix the market.
He also said you had to be a nation of laws that protected the property of all men in order to have wealth. That part I think was lost in Russia.
Not much consideration for the client in either system. Both are profit maximizers for those controlling capital and equipment.
Re your last point: I am seriously concerned that the big autocracies (Russia, China) are going to be extremely formidable if they fully align in this war. China can fund. Russia will continue to take as many lives as possible.
America has threatened China if they do support Russia. What levers do they have? I really can’t think of many that wouldn’t rebound tremendously back on America. It has been offshoring to China for 40 years. If anything, I would guess China has an economic stranglehold on America.
It appears that the pain of this local act of ugly aggression is going to be felt far beyond the area soon.
I also think that NATO cannot be held hostage to the nuclear threat forever. At some point we may have to let go of the stereotype of Putin as a deranged madman and see him for what he is - rationally, despicably evil.
China has an interesting dilemma here. As you said lots of business from the the U. S. We are one of the largest economies in the world. Do they risk that? We shall see.
'Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin appear to have strong personal ties. For example, the two discussed Ukraine during a phone call on Friday, with Xi simply stating that negotiations are desirable. There was no indication that Xi criticized Putin.'
'At the same time, China knows supporting Russia’s invasion would seriously damage its already strained relationships with the wealthy democracies that are its main trading partners, such as the United States, European Union countries, and Japan. Ties with these countries are already as bad as they have been since China began its policy of reform and opening in the 1970s. If China sided with Russia, such as by offering economic relief or agreeing to veto sanctions in the UN Security Council, then it would be hard to salvage those ties. Instead, most wealthy democracies would perceive China and Russia as being in a 1950s-style communist alliance. This would make it almost impossible for many countries to restart any form of engagement with China.' (CouncilonForeignRelations) See link below.
'The White House has warned China not to provide Russia with an economic lifeline as the Kremlin steps up its onslaught on Ukraine. The U.S. says it fears China, a key strategic ally of Moscow, may seek to cushion the impact of measures designed to destroy Russia’s economy if the war continues'
'There are concerns among market participants that Chinese companies could soon become embroiled in financial penalties after reports that Moscow had asked Beijing for assistance to support its Ukraine invasion' (cnbc) See link below.
https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/china-russia-war-ukraine-taiwan-putin-xi
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/15/ukraine-crisis-china-wants-to-avoid-us-sanctions-over-russias-war.html
Those are good points. I hadn’t fully explored in my mind what the downside is for China. Their (at least overt) hesitation to pump aid to Russia was a bit of a surprise to me. Especially as they are in a near parallel situation with Taiwan.
But they are an economic behemoth now. And they throw their weight around internally (Uighur) without much concern for the opinion of the West.
They hold a significant amount of American debt and could weaponize that if America tries to subdue their activity. https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3112343/us-debt-china-how-big-it-and-why-it-important#:~:text=China%20holds%205.2%20per%20cent%20of%20all%20US,may%20not%20be%20attributed%20to%20the%20actual%20owners.
And they make so much of what America consumes. Cutting off trade in any key area could really hurt America.
This misadventure of Putin’s - too polite a word, I realize - is going to widen in surprising and possibly epic ways. It’s tremendously worrying.
Eric, Your opening line, 'I am seriously concerned that the big autocracies (Russia, China) are going to be extremely formidable if they fully align in this war. China can fund.' raised questions and doubts in my mind. I didn't think that China would fully buy into Putin's war against Ukraine and doubted that would or could fund. Thus began our useful exchange.
The following may be of interest to you concerning China's role. I think this genocidal-like enterprise of Putin's is not conforming to his expectations.
'Can China, by offering itself as an alternative trading partner, bail out Putin’s economy?'
'No, it can’t.'
'Let’s talk first about the impact of those sanctions.'
'One thing the West conspicuously hasn’t done is try to block Russian sales of oil and gas — the country’s principal exports. Oh, the United States might ban imports of Russian oil, but this would be a symbolic gesture: Oil is traded on a global market, so this would just reshuffle trade a bit, and in any case U.S. imports from Russia account for only about 5 percent of Russian production.' (NYTimes, Krugman)
In addition, 'Russia, which currently sends natural gas to China via the Power of Siberia gas link, has been holding talks with the Asian nation over another major long-term deal for supplies via Mongolia. Currently, Russian gas-pipeline infrastructure isn’t capable of west- or eastbound redirections of gas flows. However, if the deal is reached, an interconnector will be built, decreasing Russia’s dependence on Europe to buy its energy.' (Al Jazeera Media Network)
'The West has, however, largely cut off Russia’s access to the world banking system, which is a very big deal. Russian exporters may be able to get their stuff out of the country, but it’s now hard for them to get paid. Probably even more important, it’s hard for Russia to pay for imports — sorry, but you can’t carry out modern international trade with briefcases full of $100 bills. In fact, even Russian trade that remains legally permitted seems to be drying up as Western companies that fear further restrictions and a political backlash engage in “self-sanctioning.”
'How much does this matter? The Russian elite can live without Prada handbags, but Western pharmaceuticals are another matter. In any case, consumer goods are only about a third of Russia’s imports. The rest are capital goods, intermediate goods — that is, components used in the production of other goods — and raw materials. These are things Russia needs to keep its economy running, and their absence may cause important sectors to grind to a halt. There are already suggestions, for example, that the cutoff of spare parts and servicing may quickly cripple Russia’s domestic aviation, a big problem in such a huge country.'
'But can China provide Putin with an economic lifeline? I’d say no, for four reasons.'
'First, China, despite being an economic powerhouse, isn’t in a position to supply some things Russia needs, like spare parts for Western-made airplanes and high-end semiconductor chips.'
'Second, while China itself isn’t joining in the sanctions, it is deeply integrated into the world economy. This means that Chinese banks and other businesses, like Western corporations, may engage in self-sanctioning — that is, they’ll be reluctant to deal with Russia for fear of a backlash from consumers and regulators in more important markets.'
'Third, China and Russia are very far apart geographically. Yes, they share a border. But most of Russia’s economy is west of the Urals, while most of China’s is near its east coast. Beijing is 3,500 miles from Moscow, and the only practical way to move stuff across that vast expanse is via a handful of train lines that are already overstressed.'
'Finally, a point I don’t think gets enough emphasis is the extreme difference in economic power between Russia and China.'
'Some politicians are warning about a possible “arc of autocracy” reminiscent of the World War II Axis — and given the atrocities underway, that’s not an outlandish comparison. But the partners in any such arc would be wildly unequal.'
'Putin may dream of restoring Soviet-era greatness, but China’s economy, which was roughly the same size as Russia’s 30 years ago, is now 10 times as large. For comparison, Germany’s gross domestic product was only two and a half times Italy’s when the original Axis was formed.'
'So if you try to imagine the creation of some neofascist alliance — and again, that no longer sounds like extreme language — it would be one in which Russia would be very much the junior partner, indeed very nearly a Chinese client state. Presumably that’s not what Putin, with his imperial dreams, has in mind.'
'China, then, can’t insulate Russia from the consequences of the Ukraine invasion. It’s true that the economic squeeze on Russia would be even tighter if China joined the democratic world in punishing aggression. But that squeeze is looking very severe even without Chinese participation. Russia is going to pay a very high price, in money as well as blood, for Putin’s megalomania.'(NYTimes,Krugman) See link below.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/07/opinion/china-russia-sanctions-economy.html
Good post Eric. I also see India aligning to fund Russia because they see it as strategically possible. Israel remains way to quiet because they want to crush the Palestinians. Meanwhile I wonder what African nations and South America are contemplating.
Putin’s ‘family values’ include having a mistress (and children with her) long before he divorced his wife and then tucking his mistress and four children in a secluded Swiss chalet while he murders thousands of children in Ukraine. There are divisions within the Russian Orthodox Church as to whether Putin’s ‘family values’ are godly.
Of course, all this is just talk from him and the Rs here. And they all would see to it that abortion would be available to their mistresses if need be.
What about the "family values" of Donald Trump, whom 85% of conservative evangelicals still support?
Brian Try ‘dysfunctional family values’ for Trump (and Putin).
Meanwhile, slaughtering your neighboring country integrated through family to Ukraine. I’m beyond….a maternity hospital and your kin…how does that meet their concern as white supremests, that they’re numbers are dwindling.🤯
Heartbreaking and crimes against humanity! I have to cry to see people lining up to cross a border to safety. Leaving behind everything and hoping to keep family together and able to continue. Little children. Over and over. What’s also tragic is this war is televised and we’re helpless to stop it. Or are we?
I watched war with my dinner in the 60’s. I can’t do it again. I catch up in the morning (early, it seems), and deal with the vagaries of old age otherwise.
Yes. The Secret Sauce “ is to get as many Allies involved to make Putin’s life a living Hell ! They are asking to have dialogue. Ukraine’s answer is “ Only if you stop bombing “. So hopefully VZ will have a better outlook to report to Congress on Wednesday ?
They joined the wrong side a long time ago, but as with all fanatics, they look in. The mirror and fail to seee what they have become.
Happily there remain a few Kitzingers and Cheneys around to represent the classic, small "d" democratic opposition and on which they survivors of this storm can build
Hopefully, but the power virus is more lethal than Covid. Devin Nunes told us so “All this goes away if we lose.”
/s/ So long as that baby was born and breathing air, it was fair game. The only time it's off limits is between conception and birth. /S/. Oh man, I'm so burnt out on the hypocrisy.
Boggles the mind, doesn’t it?!?!
And that poor woman who died was PREGNANT; her unborn child died along with her.
Well-said. I am similarly disgusted and angry with little tangible to do other than to contribute to several of the humanitarian efforts to help the Ukrainian people.
That story took my breath away.
They are the party of death in so many ways. And hatred of course. They ought to take WWJD much more seriously and maybe read the first three Gospels. I haven't seen a report on the week long 24 hour a day campout on the capitol grounds here in Salem lately. I hope they are miserably wet.
It was a catchy slogan and something to stamp on little rubber bracelets but WWJD was never a question most of them took seriously in the first place.
Yes, I know.....should have said I am a hypocrite.
There is nothing pro-life about those killing, abusing and/or instilling terror and fear into other humans, especially children, PERIOD! For shame is their claim to be Godly and righteous!! This piece really hit home for me as I was weaned on Developmental Trauma which brainwashes its victims and leaves them in a helpless death march, and then repeats the self/other-hatred cycle onto the next generation until we stop it! I am living proof of this phenomenon and know the abject horror I speak of, and I am so grateful to now be free of that lie (and alive). I know 100% the only thing that can save our species from the manmade hell wrought of unloved and tormented egos is LOVE, ONE LOVE for all creation!
Apparently misinformation is being spread on social media that footage of the carnage at the hospital was played by "crisis actors". https://leadstories.com/hoax-alert/2022/03/fact-check-real-patients-were-killed-injured-in-russian-bombing-of-mariupol-maternity-hospital.html
This tactic, indeed all the social media manipulation tactics, have been tested and proven right here in the US, right down to the phrase 'crisis actor'. That the US didn't take a more active and involved role in mitigation of this tripe being pedaled through silicon valley is pretty reprehensible. But then, when you look at who's on the board of these private companies and who is downstream in the largesse they produce, it's reasonably easy to comprehend both the potential for mayhem and the political apathy to do something about it.
Yes, I'm reminded of how survivors of mass shootings at schools were actually accused of making it up. And then there are the holocaust deniers.
How dreadful!!!!